Our School Year - 2015-16 Program will be starting on September 8th. We are mailing out schedule varification notices along with any paperwork needed on Monday, August 3rd. If you have registered with us and don't receive anything from us by August 6th, please contact us right away to varify your schedule.
BT has a "Wait List" for Monday - Friday afternoons. Please, contact the Blazing Trails office for more details.

Blazing Trails Childcare

Blazing Trails Childcare is Pathfinder K - 8 School's non-profit childcare program for school age children ages 5 to 12. We are open from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, excluding school hours. We also provide an enrichment program during the summer.

Our mission is to...

About our Program

Blazing Trails, located at Pathfinder K-8 School in West Seattle, is a non-profit before and after school childcare program for school-age children ages five through twelve. We also offer a
summer day camp
enrichment program.

We are dedicated to supporting families in our community as we help each child develop good communication skills and celebrate his or her own uniqueness. We maintain an environment that encourages intellectual, physical and social growth with respect for others and the natural environment. People relate to each other peacefully and we joyfully appreciate our rich diversity.

Staff training is a crucial component to accomplishing our goals. We support our staff, both professionally and personally, through respect for each other's personal differences and unique teaching styles. We provide opportunities for shared leadership, professional growth and development and an environment that encourages mutual support and care.

Inclusion Policy

We foster an understanding of diversity among people, expecting and modeling unconditional respect for self and others. We enjoy celebrating and exploring our community's rich cultural diversity.

All children and their families are accepted according to our policies without regard to race, color, religion or belief structure, creed, ancestry, gender or gender indentiy, sexual orientation, national origin or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical challenges.

General Information

"Getting To Know You Survey"• We are open during the school year from 6:30 to 9:00 AM before school and 3:00 to 6:00 PM after school. Next year (2015-16) school start and end times may change. For the most part, BT will follow Pathfinder K-8 start/end times, although some buses may leave as late as 9:00 AM.
• We are open all school days (except BT professional development days - see "School Year Calendar" for more information), all early dismissal days and only certain vacation days. (See the B.T. Yearly Schedule for more information.)
• We offer a drop-in option as space is available.
• Blazing Trails accepts DSHS, City and U.W. subsidies and has limited scholarships or work-trade opportunities at the Director's discretion.
• Our goal is to inspire positive self-esteem, respect for self and others and a sense of responsibility for one's own behavior.
• Parents/Guardians are always welcome to drop by to share their experiences or to just "hang out" and play with us!
• Blazing Trails is a non-profit organization with its own governing council and is run through Pathfinder's PTSA.
• Blazing Trails maintains at least an 11 to 1 student/adult ratio. This ratio may vary due to the needs of individual activities (ie. outdoor games may have up to a 15:1 ratio whereas an art project could end up with a 6:1 ratio).
• We have use of Pathfinder's playground, grass fields, cafeteria and gym facilities.
• We provide healthy snacks.
• Our curriculum is child-centered, culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate. Activities include, but are not limited to:

MovementSports and outdoor playScience discoveriesCookingStory reading and tellingBuilding/constructionImaginative playBeading, sewing and other arts & craftsTable gamesField trips during vacationsTheme and club activitiesIndividual study

• "Homework Club" is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons to help 1st through 6th graders with their homework. Students may choose to attend on their own or there's also a sign up sheet if you wish to make attendance regular. Please, feel free to speak with the Head teacher concerning your child's needs or to ask for more information
• We follow Pathfinder K-8's schedule. Check SPS website: www.seattleschools.org for any schedule changes.